Map of England showing where the Mete arms are recorded
The Mete arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Mete arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kent.
Origin & History of the Mete Family in England
The surname Mete traces its roots back to the rural landscapes of Kent, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, Kent was a hub of agricultural activity and trade, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. The name itself likely evolved from Old English or Middle English roots, potentially serving as a descriptive term for a person’s character or their specific role within a village community. As the family became rooted in the region, they participated in the local customs and economic life of the English countryside. Over generations, the Mete family contributed to the social fabric of Kent, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the quiet perseverance of families living during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Met
A measure or a boundary marker.
This name
MeteA topographic name for someone who lived near a boundary or a surveyor.
also spelled
Meet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hasted, Edward. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. 1797
Kent Archives. Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Wills and Administrations. PRC 32
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
